4 things Arsenal must do to defeat Liverpool | Premier League 2018-19

All roads will lead to the Emirates stadium in London as Arsenal take on Liverpool in what promises to be a very exciting contest. The matches between these two over the past couple of seasons have always produced goals, and you would also expect this to live up to that billing as well.

Arsenal come into this game still unbeaten since their first two losses of the season against Manchester City and Chelsea, although they lost their winning streak last time out to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The hosts have Matteo Guendouzi suspended, following his red card against Blackpool in midweek, and there are still doubts over the available options for the left full-back position for The Gunners, although it is likely that either Monreal or Kolasinac could be fit to face The Reds.

Monreal , Kolasinac, Xhaka, and Ozil taking part in a training drill

For Liverpool, captain Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita are struggling with injuries, and none of them have joined the first team training this week. Aside from them, there are no new injury worries or suspensions for Jurgen Klopp's men .

This game will serve as a reality check for The Gunners, in terms of their readiness to be competitive for a Champions league position at least. It could go a long way to make or mar Arsenal's season.

Lets look at three things The Gunners must do to come out tops in this must-win game.

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#1 Arsenal must avoid making needless mistakes

Arsenal are ranked first for errors leading to shots this season (Image credit: Sky)

This is going be a very important factor which could define Arsenal's chances of coming out victorious or not. As seen in past games under Arsene Wenger, and even under Unai Emery, the team is susceptible to making costly mistakes at the wrong end of the pitch.

Arsenal have made too many mistakes leading to goals this season. When Arsenal take on a team like Liverpool who are lethal in front of goal, they will have to cut these errors to the barest minimum.

#2 Curtail the physicality of Sadio Mane, and the pace of Mohamed Salah

Mo Salah and Sadio Mane - lethal attackers!

These are Liverpool's main attacking threats, there is no doubt about that. Arsenal will have to neutralise them. Sadio Mane is well known for his physicality, and uses it to his advantage when he plays against Arsenal, so he has to be stopped.

Mohamed Salah needs no introduction - he has got pace, and the trickery to beat defenders. The Arsenal defence line will have to be wary of this.

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#3 The team needs to play without fear

The Gunners have the quality to defeat Liverpool

Liverpool are not invincible, and they can be beaten. The Gunners have the quality to defeat Liverpool in front of the Emirates' crowd. The players need to harness the big game mentality, and take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, and Alexandre Lacazette will have to up their game and give The Gunners a fighting chance to defeat this Liverpool team. It is not impossible!

#4 Bernd Leno should start in goal ahead of Cech

Bernd Leno is more suited to Arsenal's playing out from the back

There are two basic reasons why Bernd Leno is more suited for this game ahead of Petr Cech. For one, Cech is just returning from an injury layoff and at times against Blackpool in midweek, he looked shaky.

Secondly, Bernd Leno is more suited to Arsenal's playing out from the back. Liverpool's style of pressing their opponents should give Leno the advantage, and even help The Gunners progress with the style Unai Emery wants to play.

You can see that with Leno on the ball, the opposition comes to press him, because they are well aware that he is comfortable with both feet, and playing out from the back.

All in all, we are in for a good game on Saturday evening!